Immortals of the End Times

Using the ripples in the void created by the teleportation array, Zhao Wuji's figure suddenly appeared in the Wang family's territory.

In just a few months, the world seemed to have changed completely.

Along the way, in the desolate mountains and wilderness, the roots of dead ancient trees seeped out droplets of spiritual dew, and the scales of snakes and insects lurking in the crevices of rocks shimmered with a ghostly light.

These unusual changes in ordinary beings are signs of spiritual influence.

Although it is not as prosperous as the time when "every plant and tree could communicate with spirits" in the era of flourishing spiritual energy, tender green shoots of spiritual energy have already sprouted on the land that was once eroded by the end of Dharma.

Meanwhile, the six peaks of the Wang family, where the fourth-level spiritual vein is located, are now shrouded in mist and clouds.

The spirit-locking array atop Minglong Peak was emitting visible spiritual mist, and the mountain springs were even more spiritually potent.

The Xuanming Kingdom at the foot of the mountain also benefited.

A faint spiritual energy has emerged, and it is no longer the hopeless end-of-days environment.

Although it cannot compare to the rich spiritual energy of a celestial abode, those martial artists who have been stuck in the Meridian Opening Realm for many years can finally use this faint spiritual energy of heaven and earth to break through their meridians and even look forward to the Grandmaster Realm.

"This revival of spiritual energy is like a gentle breeze sweeping away the remaining snow, bringing back the warmth of spring!"

Zhao Wuji looked around and saw withered trees coming back to life, dew condensing into pearls, and even the snakes and insects in the mountains and fields shining with life, a scene full of vitality.

A long-lost surge of excitement welled up in his chest—this was the era of spiritual revival!

It is no longer the oppressive despair of the Dharma-ending Age, but the vibrant hope of the world regaining its vitality.

Once upon a time, walking in the wilderness required constant vigilance against the dissipation of spiritual energy and a drop in cultivation level, but now it is as if all shackles have been removed, and even breathing feels exhilarating.

This state of mind is completely different from before!

He went straight to the main council hall of the Wang family's Balong Mountain.

Inside the hall, Hua Qingshuang was discussing important matters with Yan Lan, Wang Shouzhen, and others when he returned.

Hua Qingshuang immediately unfurled a map of the territory with a flick of her sleeve.

"Wuji, you've come back just in time."

Hua Qingshuang pointed to several vermilion marks on the edge of the map, her cold gaze solemn. "Three days ago, seven villages on the border of the Xuanming Dynasty were attacked by demonic beasts."

During the investigation, the guest advisor discovered at least two Nascent Soul level demons, and even a Golden Core level demonic aura that made the guest advisor feel threatened and suppressed. Combined with recent intelligence, it was highly likely that these were demon kings that had infiltrated from beyond the river.

Yan Lan crossed her arms and sneered, "Those old monsters certainly have a keen sense of smell. They caught a whiff of the resurgence of spiritual energy and came out of the mountains to kill us all."

Her aura faintly exuded the pressure of a Golden Core cultivator as she looked at Zhao Wuji. "It's a pity that I'm about to go into seclusion to break through to a true Golden Core stage, lest I fall too far behind you. Otherwise, I would have gone out with you to meet this Golden Core Demon King."

"Unrestrained".

Hua Qingshuang gazed at Zhao Wuji with her beautiful eyes and pondered, "Since the Demon King dares to show himself and target us, there must be something fishy going on behind the scenes."

I then asked the second family head and Senior Sister Yan to stay at the main family's residence, which would be a good opportunity to use the mountain-protecting formation to protect her.

As for the demon king, shall we two go and see what's going on?

"Yes, this arrangement is quite appropriate."

Zhao Wuji nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the traces of the demonic beasts marked on the map. "It just so happens that my martial arts cultivation is lacking in resources, so I'll go with the Peak Master to meet this guest from afar."

Hua Qingshuang looked at Wang Shouzhen and said, "We need to be careful of other lurking old monsters. Now that the spiritual energy has recovered, some old monsters will be resentful. We have two level-four spiritual veins here, so we are easy targets."

She then glanced at Yan Lan, "If you trigger the Golden Core spiritual energy tribulation during your breakthrough, what if you can't withstand it?"

Yan Lan raised an eyebrow and smiled proudly, saying, "Don't worry, I am at least an Inner Realm Golden Core cultivator. If you can survive the Golden Core Tribulation, I can certainly do it too!"

Although she spoke in jest, a hint of envy flashed in her eyes.

Hua Qingshuang has consumed a lot of the Wang family's top-tier resources, and it won't be long before she breaks through to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm. In contrast, she is only preparing to break through to the Golden Core realm.

And Hua Qingshuang also possessed the inner golden elixir that she did.

Hua Qingshuang had double pupils, but she did not.

After competing with each other for so many years, she has still been outdone.

"Since Senior Uncle is so sensible, let's set off."

Zhao Wuji turned around, drew his sword incantation, and the Cold Soul Flying Sword shot out, echoing Hua Qingshuang's Frost Flying Sword.

This Frost Soul Flying Sword was damaged and cracked during a battle with Wang Wujiang.

However, more than two years have passed, and he has already repaired it.

As Yan Lan watched the two figures leave the council hall, she suddenly shouted, "I hope you both come back safely! It would be best if you cut off one of that demon king's hooves. When I complete my golden core, I'll use it as a celebratory drink!"

Zhao Wuji smiled helplessly upon hearing this, waved his hand, and rode away with Hua Qingshuang on the wind.

The departing figures of Zhao Wuji and Hua Qingshuang quickly transformed into a message, like a drop of ink falling into still water, instantly creating ripples in the Wang family's undercover network.

Thousands of miles away.

The ancient cultivator general under Huang Shang knelt on one knee, and the long-distance communication jade talisman in his hand emitted a spiritual light.

The numerous ancient spirit stones piled up beside him were emanating spiritual energy, making Huang Shang's gaunt figure in the blood array opposite him appear ghostly.

"My lord, Zhao Wuji has left the Wang family."

General Gu Xiu's voice was hoarse, and wisps of yin energy seeped from the gaps in his armor. "And Hua Qingshuang will also be with us."

Huang Shang, who was sitting cross-legged at the center of the formation, suddenly opened his eyes, and two golden lights flashed in his cloudy pupils: "Good! They have all taken the bait."

His withered fingers calculated the secrets of heaven, "The time has come, it's time to close the net. That brat from the Zhao family, whose body was possessed by the Star River Daoist, is delaying his departure for the Qilin Sword Sect, thus hindering my important business."

The tide of spiritual energy has already risen; a moment's delay will mean utter destruction. If we delay any longer, the aura of the Nine Cauldrons will be obscured by the spiritual veins of heaven and earth.

As he spoke, a deep, mysterious light flashed in his eyes, and a cold smile appeared on his lips. "That stupid pig demon from the states beyond the river is easy to fool. He was willing to draw the Wang family's firepower for me with just a few words."

Such a dull-witted monster, no matter how strong, is just cannon fodder and deserves to be used.

General Gu Xiu's iron helmet twitched slightly: "Why didn't you ambush within a hundred miles of the Wang family's residence? Reaching the border of the Xuanming Dynasty now would take at least half a day."

"madness!"

Huang Shang stood up and said coldly, "Do you think Xinghe Daoren is one of those mediocre people? Although the body he possessed is weak, his primordial spirit's consciousness is still at the Nascent Soul level! If the distance is too close, it will be easily detected."

I will be traveling alone this time; you should return to the East Sea first!

"My lord! If Wang Shouzhen, the Golden Core cultivator from the Wang family, were to make a move, we might be in danger!"

General Gu Xiu's armor clanged, but Huang Chang had already stood up and shattered the blood array. His thin body even gleamed with a jade-like luster as he sneered.

"Now that spiritual energy is reviving, my Yellow Court Secret Realm has reached a considerable level, and the Gate of Mysterious Female can open and close once a day."

He rolled up his sleeves, revealing a rusted gold seal in his palm. "With the techniques I know, and with this dragon seal protecting me, I can come and go freely as long as it's not a Nascent Soul True Monarch."

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure vanished from the spot as if eroded by the wind.

On the border of the Xuanming Dynasty, the setting sun shone like blood, illuminating the shattered bones scattered on the ground.

Hua Qingshuang's figure hovered in mid-air, flying over a half-charred leg bone on the ground, her cold eyes sweeping over the desolate village.

Many thatched huts collapsed as if crushed by a giant beast, and half a child's face, not yet fully eaten, was still stuck to the stove.

Several mutilated corpses were pinned to the locust tree by sharp claws, and dried blood congealed into eerie snake shapes along the bark's texture.

"Click."

Zhao Wuji crushed the teeth and bones of the demonic beast beneath his feet, and a wisp of foul-smelling demonic energy rose from the ashes. He flicked his finger, using a guiding technique to attract the demonic energy, which twisted and struggled on his fingertip as if it were alive, vaguely revealing a phantom of a pig's head and a snake's body, causing him to frown.

"What kind of strange monster is this?"

"Whoosh!"

At that moment, a whooshing sound rang out, and Wang Mingyang landed on a gray, smoky light, his storage bag at his waist bulging.

"Patriarch, it's Master Zhao!"

He bowed respectfully, then tilted the opening of the storage bag.

"Wow!"

Three monster corpses crashed to the ground:

The creature on the left resembles a mandrill, but has six purplish compound eyes, and half of a child's tiger-head shoe is embedded in its fangs.

The spine of the monster in the middle protrudes like a saw, and corrosive mucus seeps out from the ruptured sac in its abdomen, scorching the soil with honeycomb-like holes.

On the far right, however, was a two-headed serpent, with countless vine-like tentacles emerging from the gaps in its scales, still wriggling at the moment.

"Reporting to the Peak Master, these beasts, although only at the seventh or eighth level of Qi Refining..."

Wang Mingyang said cautiously, "But when I killed them, they were able to expel poisonous miasma and control earth spikes, as if they had mastered some demonic arts. I'm afraid they have a lineage, perhaps taught by that Golden Core Demon King. They should not be underestimated."

As he spoke, he stole a glance at Zhao Wuji, his former colleague, and his Adam's apple bobbed: "As for that Golden Core Demon King, I really dare not pursue him."

Fortunately, the demon king's power hasn't reappeared in recent days. Perhaps he's afraid of us and has fled to other territories to cause trouble.

Don't jump to conclusions.

Hua Qingshuang's double pupils appeared in her eyes as she scanned the several demon corpses.

Suddenly, with a flick of his sleeve, an ice crystal froze the tentacles of the demonic python on the ground into dust: "The demonic energy remaining in the corpses of these demonic beasts is mixed and disordered, like inferior species that have been forcibly matured, hence their strange appearance."

As she spoke, she looked at Zhao Wuji with her beautiful eyes, her gaze falling on the demonic energy he was playing with between his fingertips, and pondered, "Wuji, what have you discovered?"

“That Golden Core Demon King is indeed quite skilled, able to conceal his whereabouts, but while he can escape the sight of an ordinary cultivator, he cannot escape my tracking.”

Zhao Wuji shook his head, made a hand seal to perform a guiding technique, and made a grasping motion with his five fingers.

The skulls of the three corpses exploded simultaneously, and the scarlet demonic energy was pulled into his palm like threads.

Driven by the guiding technique, demonic energy intertwined in the void to form a blood-red compass. Suddenly, the pointer trembled violently and pointed firmly to the mountains a thousand miles to the northwest.

"Black Mist Mountains!" Hua Qingshuang's eyes narrowed.

Wang Mingyang, standing to the side, was secretly astonished by such a sophisticated tracking method. This profound technique far surpassed the tracking arts he knew!
He swallowed hard, his mind on alert.

The person before me is no longer the colleague I used to share drinks and laughter with.

Now that Zhao Wuji is a high-ranking Golden Core cultivator with unfathomable strength, I must be careful with my words and actions and never joke around as casually as before.

Zhao Wuji flicked his sleeves, looked at Wang Mingyang, and said with a smile, "You've had a hard time on this trip, Guest Elder Wang. Go back and collect your reward."

Wang Mingyang's tense shoulders relaxed instantly, a smile spread across his face, and he hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "It is my duty to serve the patriarch and Master Zhao, and I dare not complain."

His lips moved slightly, and his Adam's apple bobbed. When the topic of rewards came up, he really wanted to ask for a pot of spirit wine to relieve his fatigue, just like before. But when he glanced at Zhao Wuji's profile, he ultimately didn't dare to speak.

He gave an awkward smile and watched Zhao Wuji and Hua Qingshuang ride away on the wind, feeling rather disheartened.

"Alas, another drinking buddy I could have shared a drink with has been lost!"

Thousands of miles away, Black Mist Mountain.

The valley reeked of a foul stench, littered with bones, a scene resembling a living hell.

Several monstrous beasts were dragging human corpses deeper into the valley, their rotting flesh leaving dark red bloodstains on the muddy ground.

Amidst the pile of bones, a hideous pig's head, covered in stiff black hair, slowly emerged, its tusks gleaming white and drool dripping from its mouth.

It opened its blood-red maw with a sense of satisfaction, allowing the lesser demons to throw corpses into it. The "crack" sound of its fangs crushing bones echoed through the valley, sending chills down one's spine.

With its scarlet eyes narrowed, it made a satisfied snorting sound from its throat.

Coming from that desolate, uninhabited place beyond the Yellow River to this Northern Cloud Di State where spiritual energy is gradually recovering is like climbing from hell into a celestial court!

On the way, it got so hungry that it even ate half of its own demon offspring.

Now, Beiyun Dizhou is practically a mountain of meat on the table!
Human flesh and blood are fresh and sweet, far superior to the shriveled corpses of demonic beasts.

Therefore, even knowing the dangers of this journey, it was willing to take the risk.

Moreover, the human cultivator who colluded with the Deep Sea Flood Dragon King had already promised to personally take action against the Wang family.

"Humans may be cunning, but that person doesn't have much time left. If he has designs on the royal family, he will surely make a move."

A sinister and cunning glint appeared in the Pig Demon King's eyes.

It only needs to provide cover on the outside and use sorcery to conceal itself. Even if the Wang family's Golden Core cultivators come after it, they won't be able to find its trace easily.

Even if it is found... hehehe.

With a snarl of its fangs, a leg bone was crushed into fragments between its teeth, the sweet and pungent taste of bone marrow exploded on the back of its tongue, the rough coating of its tongue rolled over the remaining bits of meat between its teeth, and a satisfied snoring sound rolled out of its throat.

"I'm starving, and the spiritual energy in this wretched place hasn't fully recovered yet. Devouring a Golden Core cultivator is far more nourishing than eating tens of thousands of mortals!"

It stared at the gray sky, drool dripping from between its fangs. "That old ghost Huangshang said that the Wang family has a newly promoted female Golden Core cultivator...tsk tsk, with such delicate skin and tender flesh, she must be much more chewy than these mortals!"

Beneath the pile of corpses, its massive demonic body arched comfortably, crushing several skeletons.

"Your Majesty!"

A six-eyed mandrill fawned over, tossing over half of its mutilated body, its clothes still covered in congealed blood scabs.

The Pig Demon King spewed two plumes of black smoke from its nostrils, then suddenly flew into a rage and smashed the mountain demon's head with a single claw: "Fool! This is an old, scumbag human! How dare he defile my teeth?!"

The shattered bones and brains splattered on its fangs, but it was too lazy to lick them; instead, it rubbed its hooves restlessly.

Why hasn't the "luring the tiger away from the mountain" promise made by that old ghost Huang Shang been fulfilled yet?

The Pig Demon King shook his mane in annoyance.

The spiritual energy in this desolate place is as scarce as cooking water, and even with constant feeding, its demonic power is slowly dissipating.

More importantly, it sensed a faint unease.

Just then, the Pig Demon King's scarlet single eye suddenly widened, and he noticed a little demon not far away sneaking closer, moving slowly and timidly.

"What are you dawdling for?!" It bared its fangs and growled like thunder from its throat. "Hurry up and bring this king his food!"

Upon hearing this, the "leopard-headed little demon" immediately quickened its pace, lowered its head and bowed its back, looking extremely apprehensive.

However.
This leopard-headed little demon was none other than Zhao Wuji!
He had already used his Disguise Technique to transform into an ordinary little leopard demon and quietly sneaked into the valley to observe the strength and condition of the pig demon king.

At this moment, a cold glint flashed in his eyes, and a murderous intent surged within them.

This monster is ferocious and tyrannical, feeding on humans and leaving mountains of bones, which has aroused his determination to kill it!

As he quickly approached, he used his divine sense to communicate with Hua Qingshuang.
"Peak Master, this demon king is only at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm. Although demon beasts are stronger, we can still take it down. Prepare to attack!"

(End of this chapter)